Effects

Once performed, a jet of nearly indiscernible, crystal-clear mist, almost like a spray, will shoot from the caster's wand, engulfing the animal and quickly morphing it into a goblet with a quiet whooshing noise.[2]

If performed incorrectly, a spasm of greenish light will shoot from the wand with a crackling, whining noise and the target will be transfigured improperly.[2] It may still be furry, or might possess a tail (or a combination of the two).[2]

Behind the scenes

Despite the subtitles saying that the incantation is "Vera Verto", there is a possibility that the subtitles are wrong and that the incantation is "Fera Verto". This makes particular sense when one considers "fera" means "wild" or "wild animal".[4]

In the fifth game, during the O.W.L.s, one of the tests is to transform an animal into a watergoblet; it is more than likely this was meant to be "Vera Verto".

During the film adaption of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets,the writing on Minerva McGonagall is written backward.